VW recalls 143,000 Atlas and 2020 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 143,053 model year 2018-2021 Atlas and model year 2020 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles.

The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may have a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger airbag when the seat is occupied.

A passenger airbag that does not deploy in a crash increases the risk of injury.

What to do

Owners should not use the front passenger seat until the remedy, which is currently under development, has been completed.

Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed May 26, 2023. A second notice will be sent once the remedy becomes available.

Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at (800) 893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69FB.